You could start by being a bitter arsehole who slanders others by suggesting that they "do nothing" if they do something such as slight as disagree with them in a pointless cock-waving competition (ie. this thread).

Mr. Omnipresent here seems to stalk everyone of us, or maybe he just assumes that we are like him and we "do nothing real."

A bit of civility would be wonderful, perhaps we can achieve something together then.

Why this assumption that "heavy metal is for morons?" Let people have their own assumptions, but I don't hear people really making a fuss about heavy metal anymore. Unlike say 10 years ago when every metal fan was assumed satanic by most communities...I really feel that attitude has died down now.

You could start by being a bitter arsehole who slanders others by suggesting that they "do nothing" if they do something such as slight as disagree with them in a pointless cock-waving competition (ie. this thread).

Mr. Omnipresent here seems to stalk everyone of us, or maybe he just assumes that we are like him and we "do nothing real."

A bit of civility would be wonderful, perhaps we can achieve something together then.

Just because I donít feel like blowing up some parliamentary building and trying to change something does not mean I am doing nothing, nor did i ever tell anyone else to do nothing.

However I made the mistake of thinking snoopdawg meant trying to actually change something as opposed to simply doing anything other then the computer, my fault for assuming. But then it raises the question, how do you know (in regards to snooding) that I donít have a life outside of this forum. Have you followed me my entire life or are you all knowing, I made the mistake of an assumption but mine in no way compares to how big your assumption was, you just decided I never leave my computer and the outside world is a foreign thing to me.

Of course, M-O-C, he's your typical (ANUS) internet sniper... trying to tell people that they do nothing. Usually after a slight disagreement. How cute.

I think it's pretty clear you do nothing because you make excuses. You're hiding behind "I disagree" when what you really mean to say is that you want to be inert. This article was an opportunity, and you bickered it away by making excuses. That kind of person never "does anything."

MOC, tell us what you've done in life.

Thamuz, you too.

When I see either of you retards doing something as impressive as this, I'll reassess. But it seems to me that you bitch about how metal is perceived, then whine away your chance to make good on a change in that perception.

Well being the ripe old age of 16 nearing 17 i have not been able to accomplish a lot with my life yet, but its in the making. I study classical music and have done so for the past four years and I perform on an instrument. I also read books that vary from the prince by Machiavelli and human, all to human by Nietzsche to Homer's Iliads as to gain a grasp on human nature, ethics and metaphysics.

Just because i haven't published a book containing my ideas or recorded my pieces yet does not mean i have done nothing with my life, after all Bach thought his music would die with him, and it almost did but he was perfectly happy being forgotten. If i were to die now i would be happy knowing that i have written music that i enjoy, whether or not others will ever hear it.

But perhaps this conversation would best be carried on via PM to avoid clogging up this thread more then it needs to be.

I want to know why every metalhead in the world didn't take this article and force people to see it, to recognize metal and its demographic power.

They made excuses, like television-watching tools, and I'm sick of them. That's pathetic. They deserve to be ignored, shunned and treated like retards if they can't mobilize for a few simple tasks that make all of our lives better.

All of you who did nothing are future peasants, slaves, serfs, morons and tools.

I want to know why every metalhead in the world didn't take this article and force people to see it, to recognize metal and its demographic power.

They made excuses, like television-watching tools, and I'm sick of them. That's pathetic.

You're right, but this isn't the right way to go about it... people now are depressed, distracted, morbidly self-obsessed, often ridden with personal problems. You don't bring them over to the dark side by insulting them, berating them, and verbally sodomizing them. It takes some fucking patience, but we're showing people all the time that there's a better way. When this site started out, most people thought it would fail within months, and then spent a decade - literally - complaining about the vocabulary in our reviews. That has all changed (starting when we were mentioned in an SAT study guide) and now people just complain about the opinions. So it will be with this... it just takes some patience, and persistence.

Personally, I view this article as a big success. Of course it covers mainstream bands -- those of you wwho haven't worked in media don't realize that every article must sponsor at least one advertiser if possible, or the newspaper starts to go bankrupt. Of course it's only 30% of the smart kids listening, with 6% claiming it as their favorite, because they picked smart but straightlaced kids. Of course there's a lot wrong, et cetera, et cetera. What's right about it is that it's alerting the mainstream to metal's legitimacy as a cultural artform for successful people, and that's an important message. If that threans you because you're afraid you're not going to be "successful" in whatever way you define that, fix your problem... don't take it out on us.

I think it's pretty clear you do nothing because you make excuses. You're hiding behind "I disagree" when what you really mean to say is that you want to be inert. This article was an opportunity, and you bickered it away by making excuses. That kind of person never "does anything."

What excuses would they be kind, sir? I honestly think that you are confusing my screen name with that of someone else, or perhaps you are devoid of reading comprehension; thus far I have posted twice in opposition to the hostile approach that you are so vigorously employing in this and other threads. I do not think that conversing with people and at the same time making yourself out to be two steps ahead of them really achieves too much. If anything, it makes them less likely to listen and more likely to think that you do not really want to work with them. Co-operation, patience and humility are the best friends that you can have when trying to make a difference.

I have not disagreed with you yet, nor anyone else. I really do not see it fit to add my opinion to this thread because it has already been posited by other users. Perhaps next time try not to be so blood hungry and you will see that I was trying to give you some valuable advice, not trying to "make excuses" or "disagree with you." I have wasted years of my life being an arrogant arsehole, I still have not completely shaken the habit, but treating people with a degree of sincerity and humility, no matter who they may be, opens up the chance for you to learn a lot more about them and yourself. I enjoy talking to all sorts of people, whether they are "objectively worthless", sit at home idly or participate in activities I find distasteful or demeaning, one can learn something from everyone he talks to, whether or not intentionally or unintentionally. This I think was the beauty of figures (whether they be exaggerated in their literal senses or not) such Socrates and Nietzsche's "Zarathustra." They did not immediately snub that which was at first sight unimpressive.

Treat this little speel as some kind of "openmindedness" or "humanist" philosophy if you will, but if you look harder there is a subtle difference.

Quote

MOC, tell us what you've done in life.

Thamuz, you too.

I will not try to impress you, because I fail to see how my life story would interest someone 20000 kilometres away that has never met me, other than via a few blocks of text on the screen. Instead I will merely tell it as it is, for whatever little it will achieve.

I graduated in Commerce late last year, after three years study majoring in Accounting at the University of Ballarat. I now work for a small local accounting firm where the pay is average, but the upside is that the people I work with are co-operative, usually unselfish and willing to help each other out where required and have a little bit of fun on the side where ever it can be had in the mundane environment that we call the workplace.

I have been interested in history, philosophy, classic literature and such for a few years now, although I do not read as much as I could. Then again, the upside of this is that I never overload my brain with thousands of words a day so I am more likely to soak in the essence of the particular thing I am reading at the time, I guess. More than anything I enjoy in a writer the different way, or perhaps similar way, that he views the universe in comparision with that of my own perspective. At one stage of my life I used to read to 'become knowledgeable' or some sort of 'wise man', but I soon figured that this was the wrong way to look at it and merely started reading for enjoyment. Ironically (well perhaps not) I have learned a lot more since.

I also listen to a lot of music, and my perspective and listening experience is generally pretty close to most of the people that frequent this website. Although lately I have been experimenting with different styles and have come to enjoy different artists like Kyuss, Bjork, Loreena McKennitt, Sarah McLachlan, Massive Attack, Portishead and a slew of other artists that I would not have seen myself listening to six months ago. Sometimes I do wonder if a lot of what we hear is in the mind of the listener and you take from it what your powers of perception allow you too. There may be some objectivity in art, but I find myself not underestimating the strength of subjective interpretation. I am also a guitarist, not a very impressive one, but I enjoy sharing my ideas with my friends and hearing their own ideas and in general sharing the gift of music. Occasionally we may do some recording with each other, but none of it has ever seen the light, more so a personal enjoyment thing at this stage.

I also like to do the odd spot of writing, usually a few paragraphs every now and then or the occasional album review, all are these are on the Metal-Archives if you are interested; my best are probably for 'Battle's Clarion', 'The Umbersun', 'Crossing The Fiery Path' and for a bit of fun see 'Painkiller.' If you want to see some of my written perspectives on life and related things feel free to ask and I will post links to the source.

I am also an avid chess player. I find chess to be a deeply intriguing and beautiful game where two completely different people engage in introspective warfare; strengths of character are utilised and no resource is left unused. I have learned a lot of lessons from chess that I have been able to find parallels with in real life, and learned a lot of how I react in certain situations. Chess is about self-discovery and an outlet for creativity and the battle spirit that is sadly supressed in these modern times.

I think one of my strengths is that of firstly listening to what people have to say, then considering, and finally replying with patience and understanding. A lot of people that I have talked to in the flesh have been amazed at the way I listen intently and provide them with a fresh source of inspiration with which to face the daily battle of existence.

I also enjoy things such as bush walks and walking in general, driving, drinking, thunder storms, socialising with friends, intelligent conversation, watching the nightsky and other such wonders of nature.

I am not sure if I have any tangible achievements to impress you with, but I do not myself measure people by their visible achievements but rather their character and their willingness to share and celebrate this wonderful thing called life.

Is life so grey that we must constantly put each other down and spending time bickering over who has done or who hasn't done this or that? The best things in life are the things that can only be if you stop for a moment and calmly take the time to observe them. We should share them, rather than look at each other as targets for rebuke.

I enjoy the e-zine that you posted, but I am not sure as to why you would measure the worth of a person by it.

Snoopdawg, I would enjoy it very much if you were kind enough to post some anecdotes about your own life.

Why this assumption that "heavy metal is for morons?" Let people have their own assumptions, but I don't hear people really making a fuss about heavy metal anymore. Unlike say 10 years ago when every metal fan was assumed satanic by most communities...I really feel that attitude has died down now.

It has, but is metal recognized as an artistic movement? You can either actively diss it, or passively do so, by ignoring it, and our society has done the latter. Think about how much more effective it is.